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*'''newbie'''---a new user. Not a prejurative term (but see RTFM, preceding). *'''newbie'''---a new user. Not a pejorative term (but see RTFM, preceding).


*'''cluebie'''---an experienced user. *'''cluebie'''---an experienced user.

Revision as of 14:21, 5 December 2001

Internet users have developed many slang terms over the years. Many of these terms originated as keystroke-saving acronyms but are often written in lower case:


  • AFAIK---as far as I know
  • BTW---by the way
  • IANAL---I am not a lawyer. Usually used before giving legal advice
  • IIRC---if I recall correctly
  • IMHO---in my humble opinion. Also IMNSHO---in my no-so-humble opinion.
  • LOL---laughing out loud (a reply to amusing)
  • RL---real life. Used in MUD settings.
  • ROTFL---rolling on the floor laughing (a reply to something extremely amusing)
  • RTFM---read the fucking manual (often sanitized to "fine manual" or similar). The frequent reply to a request for basic help from newbies who have not attempted to find the answer for themselves.


Others express concepts peculiar to the Net:


  • newbie---a new user. Not a pejorative term (but see RTFM, preceding).
  • cluebie---an experienced user.
  • guru---an expert in some technical topic, such as as C programming or Unix system administration
  • FAQ---frequently asked question, or a list of frequently asked questions with answers. Never seems to be written in small letters.
  • troll---a person who deliberately stirs up trouble (see article).


A comprehensive dictionary of Net slang and associated Net lore is Eric S. Raymond's The Jargon File, found at http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/jargon/.